Books

10 Reasons to Read a Paper Book Instead of an E-Book

In 2015, e-books have begun to dominate. After all, they’re cheap and easy to download from anywhere in the world. But there are still reasons to read a paper book instead of staring at your Kindle for a few hours. Here are 10.

1. They help you sleep.

Many people read a book to help them sleep as part of their bedtime ritual. But if that book is online, it could be hurting you more than it helps. In one study, participants read the same relaxing material on an iPad and a paper book. But the iPads suppressed the production of melatonin – so it took them longer to fall asleep on the nights they read on iPads, and they spent 20% less time in REM sleep. If you read just before bed, stick to paper books.

2. They help you de-stress.

Reading for just 6 minutes helps you relax. But doing it on a screen can have adverse effects! Many studies show that overusing technology stresses out, in addition to having detrimental effects on our health that affect our mood. Keep calm by sticking to paper.

3. They keep you focused.

Human beings were easily distracted to begin with, and today’s culture is just making that problem worse with the constant notifications from every site. Even if you’re reading on a Kindle, you always have the option to click into the store to find another title. Not so with a paper book! A paper book forces you to pay attention to it and nothing else, which is great for retraining your attention span.

4. You’re more likely to finish.

As this New York Times writer learned, it can be tough to finish an e-book unless you have a dedicated reading ritual. But an unfinished book stares at you in your apartment. You can’t just turn it off and forget about it – which makes you much more likely to finish.

5. They make great conversation pieces.

The books you read help shape who you are. That’s why it’s so exciting when you find out someone else loved the same book you do. But that conversation generally doesn’t start unless they actually see the book you’re reading. Plus, lending a beloved book is a lovely way to bond with a friend. Neither of these can happen with an e-reader.

6. Physically touching a book helps you remember what it says.

Study after study shows that you understand more when reading a paper book instead of an e-book. One possible reason? The added element of physical touch. The feeling of paper under your fingertip provides context that leads to better comprehension. Plus, all of the physical movements you make while reading a book, like flipping pages and where you put the book down, give you more cues to trigger your memory about various aspects of the book.

7. A physical book’s visual cues aid comprehension.

It’s not only touch, but the visual aspect of a physical book that helps you remember. Firstly, a physical book lets you add notes and comments in the margins to up the amount of memory-triggering cues there are. Furthermore, you’re better able to visually track your progress. You can remember that a favorite quote was stated near the end of the book on the right-hand side. That sense of progress doesn’t occur with an e-reader.

8. It’s protected from the elements.

Want to bring an iPad to the beach? It might not be the best idea. After all, sand could get into the charging port, it could overheat and break – and if it gets wet? Forget about it! A book is much better able to withstand the elements. Even if it gets wet, it’ll dry and be fine other than a few brittle pages. Plus, you can read a paper book in sunlight without any charging required – a big deal in the summer.

9. You can keep them in the same place.

Want to keep your digital book collection in one place? Unless you only use one app, you’re out of luck. Even if you only read on say, your iPad, you have to use the iBooks app and the Kindle app separately. Paper books can all be collected in one place, allowing you to browse and choose easily in a way that e-books don’t. Bonus? That collection can make for a stunning interior design piece.

10. Paper books are collectible.

An e-book might be cheaper than a paper book, but it’s always going to be worth $3. Not so with a paper book! Paper books can be signed by the author. They are published in editions that become rare and valuable. Plus, they feature special covers – think the original illustrated Harry Potter covers or simply Penguin classics. Paper books have the potential to become treasured heirlooms in a far more tangible way than e-books.

Do you prefer paper books or e-books? Why? Let us know in the comments, on Facebook, or Tweet us @SuperheroYou!

In 2015, e-books have begun to dominate. After all, they’re cheap and easy to download from anywhere in the world. But there are still reasons to read a paper book instead of staring at your Kindle for a few hours. Here are 10.

1. They help you sleep.

Many people read a book to help them sleep as part of their bedtime ritual. But if that book is online, it could be hurting you more than it helps. In one study, participants read the same relaxing material on an iPad and a paper book. But the iPads suppressed the production of melatonin – so it took them longer to fall asleep on the nights they read on iPads, and they spent 20% less time in REM sleep. If you read just before bed, stick to paper books.

2. They help you de-stress.

Reading for just 6 minutes helps you relax. But doing it on a screen can have adverse effects! Many studies show that overusing technology stresses out, in addition to having detrimental effects on our health that affect our mood. Keep calm by sticking to paper.

3. They keep you focused.

Human beings were easily distracted to begin with, and today’s culture is just making that problem worse with the constant notifications from every site. Even if you’re reading on a Kindle, you always have the option to click into the store to find another title. Not so with a paper book! A paper book forces you to pay attention to it and nothing else, which is great for retraining your attention span.

4. You’re more likely to finish.

As this New York Times writer learned, it can be tough to finish an e-book unless you have a dedicated reading ritual. But an unfinished book stares at you in your apartment. You can’t just turn it off and forget about it – which makes you much more likely to finish.

5. They make great conversation pieces.

The books you read help shape who you are. That’s why it’s so exciting when you find out someone else loved the same book you do. But that conversation generally doesn’t start unless they actually see the book you’re reading. Plus, lending a beloved book is a lovely way to bond with a friend. Neither of these can happen with an e-reader.

6. Physically touching a book helps you remember what it says.

Study after study shows that you understand more when reading a paper book instead of an e-book. One possible reason? The added element of physical touch. The feeling of paper under your fingertip provides context that leads to better comprehension. Plus, all of the physical movements you make while reading a book, like flipping pages and where you put the book down, give you more cues to trigger your memory about various aspects of the book.

7. A physical book’s visual cues aid comprehension.

It’s not only touch, but the visual aspect of a physical book that helps you remember. Firstly, a physical book lets you add notes and comments in the margins to up the amount of memory-triggering cues there are. Furthermore, you’re better able to visually track your progress. You can remember that a favorite quote was stated near the end of the book on the right-hand side. That sense of progress doesn’t occur with an e-reader.

8. It’s protected from the elements.

Want to bring an iPad to the beach? It might not be the best idea. After all, sand could get into the charging port, it could overheat and break – and if it gets wet? Forget about it! A book is much better able to withstand the elements. Even if it gets wet, it’ll dry and be fine other than a few brittle pages. Plus, you can read a paper book in sunlight without any charging required – a big deal in the summer.

9. You can keep them in the same place.

Want to keep your digital book collection in one place? Unless you only use one app, you’re out of luck. Even if you only read on say, your iPad, you have to use the iBooks app and the Kindle app separately. Paper books can all be collected in one place, allowing you to browse and choose easily in a way that e-books don’t. Bonus? That collection can make for a stunning interior design piece.

10. Paper books are collectible.

An e-book might be cheaper than a paper book, but it’s always going to be worth $3. Not so with a paper book! Paper books can be signed by the author. They are published in editions that become rare and valuable. Plus, they feature special covers – think the original illustrated Harry Potter covers or simply Penguin classics. Paper books have the potential to become treasured heirlooms in a far more tangible way than e-books.

Do you prefer paper books or e-books? Why? Let us know in the comments, on Facebook, or Tweet us @SuperheroYou!